John Wycliffe Christian School

Our History

The school was established in 1988 by parents who wanted a school that would acknowledge the Lordship of Jesus Christ over every aspect of life, including education.

Our Growth

From small beginnings as a single Grade 1 class, we grew to include Grade R and Matric in 1999.   Ten years later, after a move to different premises, we decided to close the High School so as to focus intensively on the Primary School years.  Our vision is to grow until we at least 2 classes in each grade before opening a High School again on a separate campus. 

In 2012 the Pre-school will re-open, accepting children for Grade R (age 5, turning 6) and pre-grade R (age 4, turning 5).

Who was John Wycliffe?

John Wycliffe was an outstanding theologian and scholar who lived in England in the 1300's.  He is often referred to as the "Morning Star of the Reformation" as he promoted teaching that paved the way for church reform in Europe.

Wycliffe was an Oxford scholar and professor. He was in his 40's when he began studying theology. He insisted on a common-sense, literal interpretation of scripture instead of complicated methods which no ordinary person could understand. His views were very unpopular with the established church, especially when he began teaching that leaders should rule for the benefit of the people, not themselves. He was persecuted and imprisoned for a time.  Students who supported his views were expelled.  He eventually left Oxford and spent the rest of his life preaching, translating the Bible into English and distributing hand-written copies of the Scriptures all over England.  Many European students at Oxford were influenced by him and took his ideas back home, where they influenced men like John Hus and Martin Luther.

John Wycliffe is relevant to our school because he was not part of a particular denomination, but furthered the cause of the whole Christian Church. He was a man of courage, integrity and wisdom with a brilliant mind, and he lived and taught according to the plain truth of the Bible.  He was influential in theology, politics and civil life in his generation and for centuries afterward.  We pray that by God's grace, the children at JWCS will also have lasting impact for good in our world.